35 Gallon Stocking Ideas

[trishmarie]

I need some help with stocking my newer planted tank. I want the focal point in the end to be Opaline Gourami's (x3, 1M 2F) or Turquoise Dwarf Gourami's (x5, 2M 3F) depending on what is available within the next 2 weeks, but I keep getting mixed and inconsistent information wherever I look, online or in LFS. Any help is appreciated.

Tank:
- In final stages of cycling
(Temp~ 77°F; pH~ 7.0; Ammonia= 0 ppm; Nitrite= 0.15 ppm; Nitrate= 9 ppm; Recorded 12/19 @ Morning)(Used Stability for first two weeks; Using Prime every other day; Water Parameters taken every morning and after water changes; Water Change of up to 60% done when Ammonia went up or when Nitrite reached 0.2 ppm)
- 35 Gallons
- Planted
- Filter= Aqueon, 40 Gal.
- Heater= Eheim Jager, 40 Gal.
- Air Pump= Whisper, 30-60 Gal.

Fish:
- Super Red BN Pleco, x1, ~0.8 in.
- Blue Phantom Pleco, x1, ~2.0 in.
- Chili Rasbora, x6, will be moved to 10 Gal.

 

[Kolton13]

I LOVE that wood, could do skirt tetras or small gouramis. GL

 

[Deadeye]

Dwarf gouramis may be better. Opaline probably need 20-30 gallons each to avoid fighting.
I second the idea of skirt tetras, they are great fish with gouramis.

 

[Shark75]

Agreed, Dwarf Gourami instead of Opaline. They can get up to 6 inches and get pretty aggressive. Another option is the Honey Gourami. They are about the same size and temperament as the Dwarf. They seem to do better with floating plants that provide them with some cover as they are a more timid and shy fish. Same goes for the Dwarf.

 

[0wen_96]

may some corys for CUC

 

[trishmarie]

If I do go with the Dwarf Gourami’s, would the Turquoise Dwarf Gourami (aka Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami) be an okay choice temperament wise between having 5 of them? I would also want to get 6 Cardinal Tetras if I go along the path, would that be an okay matchup? All in all, is that an okay bio load?

 

[Shark75]

5 is ok but only if you have one male. Two males will constantly fight. So you probably don't need 4 females to go with your one male. One male and 2-3 females would be fine and adding the Cardinals would be an excellent choice as well. Could also keep your Chili Rasboras in their unless you have something else planned for them.

 

[Deadeye]

I would go with a tetra a bit bigger than a cardinal. I’ve had a betta snack on neons, the size and temperament is comparable to a dwarf gourami and cardinal.
That was in a much smaller tank though, but still worth considering.
Also keep an eye out for iridoviris, it is highly common in dwarf gouramis, and very lethal. I have lost many to it.

 

[Shark75]

I disagree with that statement. A dwarf gourami isn't capable of eating a cardinal tetra unless you are talking about a full grown 3.5 inch gourami with a half inch cardinal. Which you aren't going to find that small anyway. Cardinals get up to 2 inches so a little larger than a neon. That must have been one large betta and some tiny neons. I would say that is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Shark75]

Agreed that Dwarf Gouramis are very susceptible to disease.